Post #187 31 January 2019

Gentlefolk,

This post describes some of our activities during January 2019.

First international issues.

The three stories dominated international news during the month: (1) the US Government partial shut-down, which lasted 35 days, (2) Brexit, (3) Venezuela. Continuing drama - the next few weeks will be fascinating.

China's GDP grew 6.6% in 2018, the slowest since 1990 but still solid.  In 2018 China's exports decreased 4.4% and its imports decreased 7.7%; a record trade surplus with the USA of US$324 billion (reducing this enormous imbalance is proving difficult). I am intrigued how quickly China compiles and releases economic data - much faster than other countries - super-computers?



Here are photos of activities during January 2019.

My brother Andy Olah has lived in Rarotonga, Cook Islands for 40 years - a pretty amazing story of guts and determination and ingenuity.  He is multi-skilled, successful businessman and recently completely renovated a house with great result. Andy turned 70 on 2 January 2019.  My sisters flew over to celebrate this significant birthday; Vera & I had booked tickets, but had to postpone our visit when Vera started chemo.

Proud Papa Andy with new grandson Etu who was born at the end of December; brother to Hinamoana.

Aniko, Sasha (Angie's daughter), and Angie in Raro for the birthday celebrations.

The family in 1949.  Andy only a few months old.  

The family in 1965, Angie 18, Andy 16. me 19, and Aniko 10.

Andy with kid-sister Aniko skiing, probably 1967.  He was a very good skier - a natural - won Gold in an Inter-Services Skiing competition a few years later when he was in the Army.

Lunch in Cooma with Mum, Angie and Ankio, about 1975.

Andy with good mate Michael Boland.

Andy looking strong, about 1976.

Andy 2018, still going strong!

My first session as a Volunteer Guide at the Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House, Canberra, with colleague Gavin Ford. I did three more sessions during January (the busiest month for MoAD). Nervous start, getting better.  

The main entrance of Old Parliament House where I am now a Volunteer Guide at the Museum of Australian Democracy.  It was the site of the National Parliament for 61 years, from 1927 to 1988.  A relatively-old building in attractive art-deco style, the architect was John Smith Murdoch who designed and built many buildings in Canberra and Melbourne.

Jen and her youngest son Sid visited us; Vera wearing a 'turban' because of her chemo.

Jen and Vera.

Family dinner: from left Jen, Angie, Vera, Aniko, and me.

We watched some fine tennis at the Lyneham Tennis Centre.  The two finalists then flew to Melbourne for the Australian Open where Hubert Hurkacz lost in the first round, and Ilya Ivashka lost in the second round.

Action at the East Hotel Tennis Tournament.  It's great being just a few metres from the players.

Jen and I checked out the latest additions at the National Portrait Gallery. This portrait is of Andrew Gaze, basketballer.

Andrew Gaze is an icon of basketball in Australia. He still holds the NBL record for averaging  44.1 points per game in a season. Now coaching. A champion.

Photograph of Tan Le (see below).

Tan Le - what an inspirational story!

Mal Meninga played Rugby League for the Canberra Raiders; also captained Queensland in the State of Origin, and captained the Australian Kangaroos. A legend.

At Canberra Airport before Jen's flight back to Brisbane. "Thanks for coming down, Jen, and supporting Vera.  Much appreciated."

A week later Sid flew back to Brisbane.  He had a great time with his other grandparents at Broulee. Here he is with his cousin Isaac Roberts.

Sid's plane getting ready to take off; in the background a big Qatar Air flight just arriving.

Lunch to celebrate John Holmes' 94th birthday.  From left: me, Vera, John Holmes, Jan Lynch, Dal Hyde, Margaret, and Gerry Lynch. John was Senior Trade Commissioner when we were posted to Bangkok in 1973-4; he and Elise welcomed the newly-weds; a wonderful boss and colleague.

Saying goodbye to Diane and Alex Hackett who are relocating to Noosa - wise move.

23 January 2019 Vera with her wonderful chemo nurse, Sam (American, from Atlanta).  This was her 4th (and final) treatment. We will see the Oncologist, Dr Malik, in a month and, hopefully, get the "all clear".  

I started riding my bike again, after a break of 9 months; doing about 50km a week - great fun - why did I ever stop???

The Guard of Honour at the Australia Day Citizenship ceremony on 26 January; the Army, Navy and Airforce were all represented. It was a lovely warm summer's morning (reached 38C in the afternoon!).

Part of the parade. Note New Parliament House in the distance, across Lake Burley Griffin.

First the flag-raising ...

... while saluting.

The Governor General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, made a speech, followed by the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison. Then the PM led the Oath of Allegiance and presented certificates to the new citizens. There are similar ceremonies taking place throughout Australia.

A group of about 20 primary school students from Nanjing watched the ceremony (I don't think they understood much of what was going on).

After the Citizenship Ceremony I rode my bike to the National Museum and watched an Aboriginal smoking/welcoming ceremony.

That evening I picked up my old boss, John Holmes, and we watched a trial rugby game between the Canberra Brumbies and the Melbourne Rebels.  Despite the heat (it got to 38C) the action was fast and furious; the Brumbies emerged winners 52 - 38. The Super Rugby season proper will start in 2 weeks (it's crazy playing in this heat!!!).

On 23 August 1914 Japan declared war on Germany (Japan was an ally of the UK in WW1) and 4 days later started operations against the German colony at Tsingtau (now spelt Qingdao). A large force landed on the north shore of Shandong Province, marched south, took a month to get into position and then laid siege to the city of Tsingtau. The Germans gave a good account of themselves but  in the face of overwhelming odds (5,000 vs 50,000) they surrendered on 7  November 1914. Japan occupied Tsingtau until 1922 when it was, reluctantly, returned to China.
We spent 2009 - 2016 teaching English at the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, hence my interest in this event.

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In the Australian Tennis Open finals last week Novak Djokovic beat Rafa Nadal (Djoko has now won the Aussie Open 7 times, and has a total of 15 Majors); while Naomi Osaka beat Kvitova. Roger Federer and Serena Williams were surprise early losers (to Tsitsipas and Pliskova respectively).

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I know it's summer, but this month has been very hot even by our standards - almost 3 weeks of 35C+ temperatures (4 consecutive days above 40C, a record). Climate going crazy?

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I read 4 books during the month, a personal record:

Mutiny on the Bounty, by Peter FitzSimon

Batavia, by Peter FitzSimon

Travels with my aunt, by Graham Greene

The Siege of Tsingtau, by Charles Stephenson

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Vera had two chemo treatments, on 2 and 23 January. She suffered some side effects, but overall she handled it pretty well - a tough little trooper!  

We will see the Oncologist on 20 February and hope/expect to get the all clear.  It's been quite a journey since July 2018 when the fist lump was detected, but now there is light at the end of the tunnel. I guess we will never completely get over the fact that Vera has had cancer, but hopefully our lives will soon return to a semblance of normality.

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That's it for this post.

Best wishes for 2019, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Vera & Alex Olah

Canberra, Australia

Thursday 31 January 2019

Post #186 5 January 2019

Gentlefolk,

This post contains an index of the 22 posts I did during 2018.

Alex Olah’s blog:  alexolah.blogspot.com

This blog was started in February 2014 and describes the lives of Alex & Vera Olah.  After 6 years teaching English in China (2009 – 2016) they returned to Australia in September 2016. They are now retired and living in Canberra.

Index for 2018, Post #163 to Post #185

Post number and date posted	Main events described in post
Post # 163 (20 January 2018)	Activities 1 – 20 January 2018, mainly around Canberra.
Post #164 (6 February)	Describes our drive up to Brisbane and back.  We saw Geoff & Albert Gray, Kate & Leon Norgate, Siri & Bob Morrison, Paul Barratt, and the mob in Brisbane, especially Kurt at Marist. On the way back stayed with Niniek & Paul Milton in Sydney – they put on a lovely dinner.
Post #165 (28 February)	Activities 7 – 28 February, mainly in Canberra: Chinese New Year; AIFA stall at Multicultural Festival; ACFS Lantern Workshop.
Post #166 (19 March)	Activities 1 – 15 March. ACFS Lantern Festival; Chinese Embassy Day; 1968 Exhibition at NLA; Birthdays of Jay (1 year) and Eddie (4 years); Queen concert at Commonwealth Park; Lunch at Tomoko & John Scott (Bowral).
Post #167 (30 March)	Covers the period 16 – 31 March. Mainly photos of when we were in Sydney looking after the kids while Caz was away.
Post #168 (10 May)	Describes our visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, 1 – 4 April 2018.
Post #169 (12 May)	Describes our stay in Tehran at the beginning (4 – 7 April) of our 18 day tour of Iran and at the end (22 April) before our flight out.
Post #170 (15 May)	Describes our short (overnight) stay in Kashan, half-way between Tehran and Isfahan.
Post #171 (20 May)	Describes our stay in Isfahan, 9 – 11 April 2018. Probably our favourite city: lots of history, lots of parks, lots of art and culture.
Post #172 (25 May)	Describes 12 – 14 April, starting with our visit to Maybod (Pigeon House and Ice House) enroute to Yazd, desert city. Yazd Water Museum. Jameh Mosque. Zoroastrian Temple and Tower of Silence.
Post #173 (27 May)	Visit to Zein-o-din Caravanserai, Maymand Stone Village; Kerman; Lut Desert; Kerman market; Rayen Citadel.
Post #174 (29 May)	Visit to Shazadeh Garden; Shiraz: Vakil Bazaar, Karim Khan Citadel, Aramgah Shrine, Hafez Mausoleum, Pink Mosque. Persepolis. Necropolis. Farewell dinner in Sanaz’s home.
Post #175 (1 June)	Describes our visit to Penang (Malaysia) 22 – 26 April 2018. Liong & Pina at Batu Feringgi. Georgetown. Botanical Garden. National Park. Restaurants/food.
Post #176 (5 June)	Describes our visit to Singapore, 26 – 29 April 2018.  Amazing the way it re-invents itself and keeps getting better.
Post #177 (8 June)	Describes activities in May 2018: in Sydney catching up with Eddie & Jay-jay; drive to Brisbane to see the Roberts mob. Moritz & Valentin. Hugo Hofgartner. Michael Tjoeng.
Post #178 (2 July)	Describes activities in June 2018. Drive back from Brisbane to Canberra. Many events in Canberra (COTDC, ACFS).
Post #179 (29 July)	Describes activities in July 2018. Spent 3 weeks in Sydney looking after the grandkids while Andrew & Caz were away.
Post #180 (31 August)	Describes activities in August 2018. Vera’s lumpectomy on 1 August. ACFS. Jay’s first steps. Hadn’t seen the Roberts for a while so drove to Brisbane, and back.
Post #181 (14 September)	Describes activities in the first half of September 2018. On 4 Sept the surgeon, Dr Cho, extended the ‘margin’, and pathology found more cancerous cells.
Post #182 (12 October)	Bali 17 Sept – 5 October. We had a week by ourselves (Tuban, Canggu and Legian).  Then 7 nights in a Villa in Jimbaran with the Roberts and Olah families; followed by 4 nights in a Villa on Nusa Lembongan.
Post #183 (31 October)	Describes our activities from 6 – 31 October (following our return from Bali). Floriade. Visit by Niniek & Paul. AIFA. Fiona Patten. Vera mastectomy on 24 Oct.
Post #184 (30 November)	Describes activities in November 2018. WW1 commemorations. John Holmes. Panda Competition. Author talks. Vera started chemo on 20 Nov.
Post #185 (31 December)	Describes activities in December 2018. Author Peter FitzSimon launched his latest book “Mutiny on the Bounty”. Volunteer guide at Museum of Australian Democracy. Cook exhibition. Baseball. Xmas.

2018 sure was another interesting year.

President Trump continued to amaze and intrigue - never a dull moment when he is around! According to the Washington Post's Fact Check, President Trump made about 5,600 false or misleading statements during 2018 - an average of 15 per day!  But he doesn't care, lampoons his critics and goes his merry way. Teflon Trump = nothing sticks; no one else would get away with this, why does he?

How to explain this behaviour by President Trump?  We have been told that he doesn't read briefing notes, in fact he doesn't read much at all - prefers getting information verbally or visually.  He knows what he knows, and is convinced his version is right.  Precise figures or data are not important - the big picture is what matters. Image is everything. I doubt he considers 'exaggeration' as false or misleading, just part of the message.

During an interview in December President Trump said "I usually try to tell the truth, I really do".  I can only conclude that his truth/belief is different from what most people consider the norm.

He has been very consistent with delivering on his promises; for example, he pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement - against most advice saying that the targets are voluntary and can be changed at any time. He also pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal, despite the other signatories (UK, France, Germany, Russia and China) and many other countries saying that Iran was meeting its obligations. But he had said during the campaign that it was a bad Deal, and despite all the evidence, he didn't change his mind.  He knows best!

Many international events of note in 2018, including:

The Trump / Kim meeting in Singapore;
Trump started trade war with China;
France won the World Cup (beat Croatia 4 - 2);
Legalisation of marijuana in California;
Rescue of boys in Thailand who were stuck in a cave for 9 days;
US students campaigned for gun controls;
Aussie students campaigned for climate change;
Devastating bushfires in California;
Brexit negotiations;
Awful war in Yemen;
US Mid-Term elections;
Yellow Vest movement in France;
Detention in Vancouver of Meng Wan Zhou of Huawei;
New record time set in the Berlin Marathon: 2 hours 1 minute 39 seconds;
Scott Morrison became Australia's 30th Prime Minister (replaced Malcolm Turnbull).

Notable deaths in 2018 included:

Stephen Hawking;
Ingvar Kampard (founder of IKEA);
Billy  Graham;
Anthony Bourdain;
John McCain;
George HW Bush.

May they RIP.
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That's it for this post.

Best wishes, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Vera & Alex Olah
Canberra, Australia
Saturday, 5 January 2019

Post #185 31 December 2018

Gentlefolk,

This post describes some of our activities during December 2018.

First, some international events this month.

The death, aged 94, of George HW Bush, 41st President of the United States (1988 - 92). The Cold War ended during his watch: on 25 December 1991 the Soviet Union dissolved into 15 independent countries. Unbelievable, a miracle.

The 40th anniversary of China's "Reform and Opening"; China's GDP increased from US$150 billion to US$12 trillion (putting it another way, China's share of Global GDP rose from 2% to 18%). Astonishing, another miracle.

The "Yellow Vest" movement in France, persistent and violent.

Brexit negotiations not going well - with only 3 months left - difficulties for Theresa May.

Wall Street (and other stock markets around the world) very volatile, up and down like a yo-yo (lost all 2018's gains). It looked as if this might be Wall St's worst finish since 1931.

At the behest of the USA, Canadian authorities detained Meng Wan Zhou, CFO of Huawei, apparently for alleged violations of sanctions against Iran five years ago. She was released on C$10 million bail.  Extradition hearings to follow. China not amused.


Herewith photos of some of the activities in which we were involved this month:

Vera's chemo treatment resulted in hair loss - don't we look like twins now?

We caught up with Dennis and Irene Smith.  Dennis was Vera's boss at MC Computing when we came to Canberra in 1996. Great guy; has lived with Parkinsons for years.  They are retired in Tweed Heads and visit Canberra to see family and friends.

With Anna and Bernt Larsson who we met in 1979 during our posting to Sao Paulo, Brazil. They met when Bernt was sent to Australia by Saab Scania back in the mid-1970s; live in Sydney and were visiting their daughter who has moved to Canberra with her family. 

My brother, Andy, lives in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.  The island is small, but they can always find a bit of bush for off-road cycling. Andy has been a keen supporter of the Raro Hash House Harriers over many years, but bad knees make running difficult now.

At the National Library I attended the book launch by Peter FitzSimon of "Mutiny on the Bounty". A journalist, commentator and prolific author, he is also an excellent public speaker and kept the audience entertained for an hour-and-a-half.  Peter is President of the Australian Republican Movement and a passionate believer that Australia no longer needs "a little old lady in far-off London" as our Head of State.

With my new 'best mate' after the book launch.

The cover of Peter FitzSimon's book Mutiny on the Bounty - a saga of survival, sex, sedition, mayhem and mutiny. It is 562 pages, plus 34 pages of footnotes and sources. The main characters are Captain William Bligh (portrayed as a great sailor/navigator and an even greater bastard) and Fletcher Christian the leader of the Mutiny.  On 28 April 1789 the Mutineers took over the Bounty and set Captain Bligh and 18 Loyalists adrift in a Long Boat (about 7m long by 2.5m wide).  On 14 June they reached Kupang in the Dutch East Indies, having covered a distance of 3,618 nautical miles in 47 days (with the loss of one man); an incredible feat of seamanship.  Most of the Mutineers ended up in Tahiti (later arrested) while Fletcher Christian and others made new lives on remote Pitcairn Island.

Finally received Peter Horne's book which is a directory of those who served during the life of the Trade Commissioners Act (1933 - 86); it lists Trade Commissioners, Trade Officers and Trade Secretaries.  He named it "Australia's Carpetbaggers" after salesmen in the old days who carried their wares in bags made of pieces of carpet.  In 1986 the Department of Overseas Trade was abolished, with Policy areas joining the Department of Foreign Affairs while Promotional areas  became the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade). 

I joined the Department of Trade in 1971 as a Trainee Trade Commissioner.  It was an honor and privilege to work on the promotion of Australian trade for 30 years, with overseas postings at Australian Embassies -  in Indonesia (twice), Thailand, Canada, Brazil, China, and Singapore. During my second posting in Jakarta I was proud to receive the Ambassador's "Carpetbagger of the Year" award.

Julie Bishop recently resigned as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and Foreign Minister. Here she is presenting the shoes she was wearing when she made the announcement, to Ms Daryl Karp, Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy. I happened to be at Old Parliament House at the time, as part of my training to become a Volunteer Guide (my first official duty as a Volunteer Guide will take place on New Years Day - bit nervous - could be a big crowd?).

As part of our training we did a tour of the Education Office of the Australian Electoral Commission; our guide was the daughter of old friends Yvonne and Jim O'Callaghan - generational change.

Annual Xmas drinks for the Volunteer Guides of the Museum of Australian Democracy in the courtyard of Old Parliament House.

At the Xmas drinks I met an old colleague, Malcolm Mackerras; we shared an office at the Associated Chambers of Manufactures of Australia (now Confederation of Australian Industry) a half-century ago!

In December I did a course to become a Volunteer English Tutor for migrants in the AMEP program run by Navitas.  There were 15 in the course - it was interesting that only 4 of us were older/retired, the others were all much younger.  It was good to see young people willing to contribute time and effort to help newcomers to our society. ACT Public Libraries run free weekly English Conversation Groups - I will try both to see which suits me better.  

A poster advertising the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).  All migrants are able to access 510 hours of English tuition (a combination of classes and one-on-one).  It is a free service for those on Humanitarian Visas; others make a contribution as part of the fees they pay to get a visa to migrate to Australia. In Canberra AMEP is delivered by Navitas, a large educational services company.

On 11 December 2018 Nate Roberts had a Graduation Ceremony to mark the end of Primary School. Last December we flew up for Kurt's graduation, but couldn't this time because of Vera's chemotherapy. Here is young Nate (11 years old) with beaming parents Tom and Jen.  Fortunately his other grand-parents, Barbara and Richard Roberts were able to attend this memorable occasion.

Nate Roberts at his Graduation from Primary School.  Next year he will join Kurt at Marist Brothers, Ashgrove. Like Kurt, Nate was Captain of Taylor House. Hilder Road Primary School in The Gap, Brisbane, has been a wonderful school for the boys; Sid has just completed Year 4 and will be there another 2 years.

Xmas drinks at Reno & Heath McMichael's place in Hughes ACT.

Michael and Peter Kramer visited from Sydney.  We did a tour of the exhibition at NLA on Captain James Cook; our Volunteer Guide was Genevieve, very knowledgeable. James Cook (27 Oct 1728 - 14 Feb 1779) was a remarkable man: despite humble origins and little education he became an expert sailor, navigator, surveyor, leader, explorer, etc, etc.

The exhibition features the actual diary Captain Cook kept on his first voyage. Cook did three major voyages: 1768 - 71 (main objective: to observe the Transit of Venus from Tahiti, he discovered the East Coast of Australia in 1770); 1772 - 75 (main objective: to look for the Great South Land); 1776 - 79 (main objective: to find a North West Passage; killed in Hawaii on 14 February 1779 aged 51).

A scale model of the Endeavour, Captain Cook's ship on his first voyage of discovery. It was relatively small: about 32m x 9m. Carried 94 (71 sailors, 12 marines, 11 civilians such as botanist Joseph Banks). Cook kept his crew healthy for two years, until they got to Batavia (now Jakarta) on the way home, where several died of disease.

A painting of Cook's death in Hawaii on 14 February 1779 (aged 51) during a fight with natives; a tragic end to a life of achievement.

Andrew visited from Sydney to check on Vera's progress; here we are saying goodbye at Canberra Railway Station (Jen came down from Brisbane earlier - really strong support from both kids for Vera).

Canberra has its own baseball team, the Cavalry, in the National competition - which they won last season! Their home diamond/ground is at Narrabundah, not far from our apartment. I went down to watch them play Korea - Geelong; the Cavalry won 6 home runs to 2. In Australia baseball has a niche following (cricket is much more popular).

 Some of the Cavalry players on the bench.

Xmas Eve we had a picnic down by the lake at Bowen Park. It was a lovely evening, clear and warm (25C).

The gang, from left: Michael, Adrienne, Aniko, Davide, Oscar, Peter, Bonnie, Vera, Angie, Sasha, me, Jimmy.

On Xmas Day we went to the cemetery to pay respects to our dear father and darling mother.  That evening Sasha and family returned to Sydney.  Angie spent the afternoon with us - we learnt to play Monopoly cards, a fun game! 

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Did you know: December 2018 had 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays, and 5 Mondays - happens once every 823 years.

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An Aussie event of note during December: widespread demonstrations by school children calling on the Federal Government to finally act on Climate Change.

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From a personal perspective the way Vera handled her chemo treatment has been great.  She felt tired, of course, but few other side effects.  Two down, two to go.  The next treatment will be on Wednesday 2 January, and then the 4th (and last, hopefully) three weeks later.  It's been quite a journey - started six months ago -  but the end is now in sight.

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Well, it's the last day of the year - tomorrow is the first day of 2019.  It's been a crazy year with many ups and downs. I might do a separate blog post summarising the main events of 2018.  We live in an age of "information overload" and need to look back sometimes otherwise even important events quickly recede into blurred memory.

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That's it for this post, and for this year.

Wherever you are: best wishes for 2019, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Vera & Alex Olah
Canberra, Australia
31 December 2018